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International Studying Leadership Conference
LOCATION
Ashridge House, Berkhamsted, UK
DATE
December 6-8, 2026
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What can we learn from leadership's past to navigate present turbulence and shape future possibilities?
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The 24th International Studying Leadership Conference, hosted by Hult International Business School at the Hult Ashridge campus, invites scholars to engage with the theme Evolving Leadership: Learning from the Past, Shaping the Future.
This year's theme challenges us to hold a dual gaze – rooted in tradition, open to emergence – reflecting ISLC’s tradition of critical inquiry while aligning with Hult’s identity as a future-oriented, practice-driven business school and Hult’s research mission to explore leadership that is ethical, inclusive, and impactful.
Leaders today operate in environments shaped by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, navigating interconnected global challenges — from climate crises and social inequality to digital transformation and geopolitical instability. Yet many mainstream leadership theories were developed assuming predictability, hierarchical structures, and linear progress. This conference asks: What can we learn from leadership's past to navigate present turbulence and shape future possibilities?
We invite contributions that critically examine how leadership must evolve beyond the limitations of traditional models, drawing on wisdom traditions, historical precedents, and emerging scholarship.
Leadership Legacies: What can historical, cultural, and philosophical traditions teach us about leading through uncertainty and change?
Leadership in Transition: How is leadership responding — or failing to respond — to today's grand challenges, including climate action, social justice, AI, and organisational transformation?
Leadership Futures: What new forms, identities, and practices of leadership are emerging to address the limitations of heroic, individualised models?
General Papers: Open submissions on leadership theory, development, and research
Standard Delegate
Early Bird Rate
GBP 350*
Until 30 Sept 2026
Standard Rate
GBP 420*
1 Oct – 31 Oct 2026
Doctoral Researcher
Early Bird Rate
GBP 280*
Until 30 Sept 2026
Standard Rate
GBP 336*
1 Oct – 31 Oct 2026
*All rates include the conference dinner Mon 7 Dec, and all coffee breaks and lunches to be served during the conference Sun 6 to Tues 8 Dec.
* Ensure you make full payment after registration
Note that any accepted paper included in the final programme is expected to have at least one author to attend and present the paper at the conference.
The conference will be held at Ashridge House, the historic home of Hult International Business School's executive education, leadership development activities, and home of the Hult Ashridge Center for Executive Coaching.
Set within 190 acres of Grade II* listed landscaped gardens in the Hertfordshire countryside, Ashridge House is a landmark of British heritage and a distinctive setting for scholarly exchange. For over 60 years, the estate has been dedicated to hands-on, experiential leadership development.
Delegates will have access to a range of spaces suited to both academic discourse and quiet reflection, with on-site accommodation available in the modern residential wing — a tranquil retreat nestled in peaceful woodland, offering a comfortable and immersive conference experience.
30-minute train from central London
Over 190 acres of gardens
Flexible classrooms and collaborative working spaces
On-site facilities: bar, restaurant, gym and swimming pool
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Hult Ashridge
Ashridge House,
Berkhamsted
Hertfordshire, HP4 1NS
United Kingdom
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Come see where the action happens with a virtual 360-degree tour of our world-class campus.
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Ashridge House
There are a limited number of rooms available at Ashridge House which can be booked on a first come, first served basis. These rooms will be held for the conference until one month before the conference (6 November), or until all rooms are sold. Please book your room directly here
Bedroom rates start from £155 per night and include dinner, bed and breakfast.
Reservations can be cancelled free of charge before 3pm, 14 days before arrival.
Any late cancellations or non-arrivals will be charged the full amount of the reservation.
If you have any questions about booking your accommodation at Ashridge House please email bedrooms@ashridge.hult.edu
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Hult International Business School is a globally recognised institution dedicated to preparing responsible and adaptive leaders for an increasingly complex world.
With campuses spanning multiple continents, Hult offers a distinctive approach to business education that integrates rigorous academic inquiry with experiential, real-world learning. The school draws a diverse community of students, faculty, and practitioners from across the globe, fostering a dynamic intellectual environment that reflects the breadth and complexity of modern leadership challenges.
Hult is recognized by business education’s three most prestigious international accrediting bodies: The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), the Association of MBAs (AMBA), and EQUIS (The European Quality Improvement System).
Hult's commitment to scholarship and applied research finds a natural home at its Ashridge campus — a historic estate in the Hertfordshire countryside, and the school's centre for executive education, leadership development, and academic exchange.
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If you're interested getting involved in the 2026 conference or have any questions, please get in touch.
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